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stella41b -> RE: The One Twue Way (11/14/2008 4:32:38 AM)
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I'm transgendered so I guess I know a thing or too about prejudice and hostility. But hatred? I sincerely hope that whoever hates me does so for much more than that. But you know I prefer to focus on the people who like me, who accept me, and even those who love me, and spend my time on liking, accepting and loving them back. That's all what matters.
I spent much of the last week working on this sLGBT group I'm developing. Tuesday I attended two meetings and gave speeches, one to a local residents association and the other in a hostel for the homeless. During the meeting in the hostel for the homeless I was heckled by a heterosexual black guy, and so my speech turned into a dialogue. It turns out he took great offence at the 's' in the sLGBT group because he said he was straight and he didn't want anything to do with 'batty men' and 'trannies'. 'Maybe they don't want anything to do with you,' came my response, 'Hasn't that thought ever crossed your mind?'
I pointed out that almost everyone who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered are supported in some way by heterosexuals whether it be family or friends, and that the group is inclusive towards heterosexuals but it also remains protective of the LGBT community. The fundamental principle of the group is one of solidarity and mutual support rather than confrontation and animosity, because only such a principle is going to lead to any sort of change in the community and in society. Each and every one of us is an individual, but we are all human.
His outburst didn't really upset me in any way, in fact I have been expecting such objections for some time. These were his prejudices, I answered them the best I could but it's really down to him to make the choice over whether he changes what he thinks or not.
This is the whole point about negative emotions such as hatred, animosity and prejudice, they affect the person expressing such emotions more than who they are directed against.
Love and hate both exist, but the choice remains with the individual.
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